The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[Hound]

Boring boring Reading

[strap]

The oxf*rd is this shit? Is it fly goalies?

Wish I'd gone now!

[Tony Le Mesmer]

How dare the U23's recreate THAT scoreline.

THAT game technically finished as a 4-4 draw.

Gr8 to recre8 the scoreline at THAT game at Doncaster tho.

[Sutekh]

What has Popa done to upset the management though? Steaua Bucharest to Reading U21s in less than 12 months.

[Stranded]

What has Popa done to upset the management though? Steaua Bucharest to Reading U21s in less than 12 months.

I think he is putting himself forward for these games to try and show Stam that he is worth a place in the team/squad. He's performing well by all accounts - 3 assists last game out and 2 goals in this one. If so, fair play, but with Barrow and Aluko ahead of him, and arguably Beerens and McCleary think he'll be off in Jan.

Shame as think he is a decent player.

[Hound]

I feel sorry for Popa. Clearly a good lad, effort can't be faulted at all, and a half decent player.

Stam just for whatever reason doesnt rate him - and tbh, if McCleary and co are back after the international break, he'll prob not be even getting in the squad

[Old Boy Blue]

Having seen the highlights i hope neither of our first choice keepers get injured as young Legg had a nightmare. At fault with 5 of the 7. Good to see Josh Barrett doing well again, if handled properly could be a real star for us. Must also agree Popa has had a raw deal. Would put him in front of McCleary and Beerens on this seasons form.

[CountryRoyal]

Would put him in front of McCleary.

+10000

[John Smith]

Did anyone go last night? Was considering it but it's just a bit too far for a reserve game and I thought I'd be bordering on very sad

[John Smith]

Having seen the highlights i hope neither of our first choice keepers get injured as young Legg had a nightmare. At fault with 5 of the 7. Good to see Josh Barrett doing well again, if handled properly could be a real star for us. Must also agree Popa has had a raw deal. Would put him in front of McCleary and Beerens on this seasons form.

Just watched them. Wow. Appalling performance from the young man in between the sticks.

[windermereROYAL]

Bloody gutted for Popa, always puts a shift in whatever level he plays at, even when hes on the bench he rarely gets a look in. should certainly be above McCleary in the pecking order.

[windermereROYAL]

Did anyone go last night? Was considering it but it's just a bit too far for a reserve game and I thought I'd be bordering on very sad

We had 8 fans there, including 1 man and his 2 kids.

[Stranded]

Having seen the highlights i hope neither of our first choice keepers get injured as young Legg had a nightmare. At fault with 5 of the 7. Good to see Josh Barrett doing well again, if handled properly could be a real star for us. Must also agree Popa has had a raw deal. Would put him in front of McCleary and Beerens on this seasons form.

Where is Legg in the pecking order, is he 3rd at the moment? Hopefully just a bad night but that was about as bad a goalkeeping performance as you'll see in 2mins of highlights - should have stopped most of their goals. Having said that the Gills keeper didn't look much better.

[Hound]

Likewise just seen them. Shocker from Legg

2 very tidy goals for Popa. Tbf to McCleary been playing a long time carrying an injury - absolutely no point him playing until totally 100% fit again - no need to play half fit players

[NewCorkSeth]

Obviously everyone noticed the same thing from the highlights. Did Legg dip his gloves in vaseline or something?

[muirinho]

Having seen the highlights i hope neither of our first choice keepers get injured as young Legg had a nightmare. At fault with 5 of the 7. Good to see Josh Barrett doing well again, if handled properly could be a real star for us. Must also agree Popa has had a raw deal. Would put him in front of McCleary and Beerens on this seasons form.

Where is Legg in the pecking order, is he 3rd at the moment? Hopefully just a bad night but that was about as bad a goalkeeping performance as you'll see in 2mins of highlights - should have stopped most of their goals. Having said that the Gills keeper didn't look much better.

Presume Bond is 3rd and would be recalled if we had a longterm injury to Jaakola or Mannone

[Stranded]

Having seen the highlights i hope neither of our first choice keepers get injured as young Legg had a nightmare. At fault with 5 of the 7. Good to see Josh Barrett doing well again, if handled properly could be a real star for us. Must also agree Popa has had a raw deal. Would put him in front of McCleary and Beerens on this seasons form.

Where is Legg in the pecking order, is he 3rd at the moment? Hopefully just a bad night but that was about as bad a goalkeeping performance as you'll see in 2mins of highlights - should have stopped most of their goals. Having said that the Gills keeper didn't look much better.

Presume Bond is 3rd and would be recalled if we had a longterm injury to Jaakola or Mannone

Pretty sure you can't recall players on loan anymore. Certainly not outside the transfer window.

[SCIAG]

Legg still being at the club is mystifying. He's never been more than a substitute goalkeeper before this season.

Southwood is doing very well at Bath, Bond is playing regularly in League One, and Ward is also on loan. Don't know what's happened to Liam Driscoll (vague memory of him going out on loan) but would prefer him to Legg. Hopefully in January one of them will be brought back to keep goal for the U23s.

[muirinho]

Where is Legg in the pecking order, is he 3rd at the moment? Hopefully just a bad night but that was about as bad a goalkeeping performance as you'll see in 2mins of highlights - should have stopped most of their goals. Having said that the Gills keeper didn't look much better.

Presume Bond is 3rd and would be recalled if we had a longterm injury to Jaakola or Mannone

Pretty sure you can't recall players on loan anymore. Certainly not outside the transfer window.

I believe there are special rules for keepers and you can recall with 24 hours notice if you don't have two fit senior keepers at the club

[KC Royal]

Haven't seen all the posts about the game last night, but some quick thoughts.

Listened to the game, well the first half and last quarter (so missed our best period of the game...) on Radio Kent's MW frequency. They said it was a 3-4-3 formation, back 3 of Holmes, Osho the captain and Burley, Sheppard right wing-back (?) Barrett through the middle as the striker with Popa left forward. Not sure of other positions. I expected a defeat but definitely didn't anticipate anything like that! Flattering score for us too as Gillingham put a penalty over the bar and should have got 1 or 2 more in the first half.

It may take a while for Legg to get over the game, sounded like he had a nightmare. They thought he was at fault for the 2nd and 7th goals and maybe at fault for the 6th. Why didn't Jaakola play? It's not like we've got a first team game in the next week. That's assuming he actually wanted to play though..

Only positive was Popa. Provided the only moment of quality in the first half (they raved about his cross) and scored 2 himself. May have got another assist 2nd half, not sure who set up Medford-Smith's goal.